It's understood United have been working away behind-the-scenes to land Cahill and could cough up a fee in January for his immediate signing rather than wait to take him on a Bosman in the summer.

Nemanja Vidic's season-ending injury has brought forward United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's plans for Cahill, who has convinced the Scot to go for him thanks to his accomplished performances for England.

Similar to his deal for Phil Jones, Ferguson is expected to leave rivals in his dust with a shock deal for the Trotters man in 2012 - whether that be in January or June.